Disability Discrimination Act 1995

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what guidance he intends to issue to(a) Departments, (b) executive agencies, (c) non-departmental public bodies and (d) outside bodies and arm's-length organisations which he has responsibility for, or an interest in, regarding the implementation of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995; and if he will make a statement. [9227]

A brief guide to the Disability Discrimination Act was issued in November 1995 and further information material on the provisions of the Act will follow. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment is currently consulting on a draft code of practice relating to the employment provisions in the Act and statutory guidance related to the definition of disability. Consultation on proposals for regulations under the education, employment and definition provisions of the Act is also currently under way. I will be asking the National Disability Council, when it first meets, to produce and consult on a code of practice relating to the rights of access to goods and services. At the same time, we shall consult on associated regulations. All these items will be published in plenty of time to allow employers and service providers to prepare themselves for the introduction of the new rights and duties. We will ensure that this Department and any bodies for which it is responsible will be made aware of their responsibilities under the Act.